Method and apparatus for controlling the supply in a can end processing system

ABSTRACT

Control apparatus for use in a can end handling system of the general type having one or more pair of successive work stations, each provided by a first and a second can end processing machine, with said machines being linked by conveyor means of the type including a trough through which a continuous stream of can ends are supplied from one machine to the other. The trough includes a vertically disposed section at which point said apparatus operates. The control apparatus includes means to engage and retard the flow of can ends through said trough in order to produce a gap in said continuous stream. Associated with the trough in the area of said gap, there are provided monitoring means for detecting the level of the can ends in said gap. Said monitoring means include first and second sensing units which detect the level of can ends at axially spaced locations in said gap, and adjust the output of said first machine and the rate of consumption of said second machine so that neither an oversupply, nor an undersupply of can ends of said second machine occurs.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Wallace W. Mojden Palos Heights; Norman J. Chivas, Naperville, both of 111.

[21] Appl. No. 5,540

[22] Filed Jan. 26, 1970 {45] Patented Nov. 9, 1971 [73] Assignee Fleetwood Systems, Inc.

Countryside, Ill.

Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 825,096, Apr. 16, 1969, now Patent No. 3,545,631, which is a continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 703,303, Feb. 6, 1968, now abandoned.

[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY IN A CAN END PROCESSING SYSTEM 20 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl ll3/ll3C,

[511 lnt.Cl 821d 43/16 [50] Field oISearch 113/113.

113 C, 114 C; 214/6 DK; 198/22; 72/424 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,784,131 12/1930 Cabot l13/ ll3C 1,903,989 4/1933 Fink et a1 113/113C 2,061,589 11/1936 Philp 113/114 C 3,417,853 12/1968 Modjen et a1 198/22 Primary Examiner-Richard .l. Herbst Attorney-Olson, Trexler, Wolters & Bushnell control apparatus includes means to engage and retard the flow of can ends through said trough in order to produce a gap in said continuous stream. Associated with the trough in the area of said gap, there are provided monitoring means for detecting the level of the can ends in said gap. Said monitoring means include first and second sensing units which detect the level of can ends at axially spaced locations in said gap, and adjust the output of said first machine and the rate of consumption of said second machine so that neither an oversupply, nor an undersupply of can ends of said second machine occurs.

PATENTEI] NOV 9197:

PATENTED NEW 919?;

SHEET 3 OF 3 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation-in-part of United States application for Letters Pat. Ser. No. 825,096, filed on Apr. 16, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,631, which application is in turn a continuation-in-part of United States application for Letters Patent, Ser. No. 703,303, filed Feb. 6, I968, now abandoned. With regard to the subject matter herein claimed, said subject matter was first presented to the Patent Office in said application Ser. No. 825,096.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for handling can ends or the like. More particularly, this invention provides control apparatus for use with a can end handling system to regulate the transfer of can ends from one processing machine to another in said system.

The manufacture of can bodies has become a highly automated procedure, employing high speed manufacturing processes and requiring rapid transfer of articles from one work station to another. The various processing machines for the can ends normally eject said ends in a continuous stream of stacked elements which then must be conveyed to the next adjacent work station in the system The entire system may include various testing or assembling machines, as well as machines of of other known types which perform subassembly operations on the can ends prior to final assembly on the can bodies. A good example of the subassembly type of machine, is a machine which is tenned in the art Minster Press" which scores the can end and assembles a pull tab thereon, this type of can end being widely used by the beverage industry.

Irrespective of the particular operation to be performed, these can ends are transferred from station to station quite rapidly and almost always are supplied to the next succeeding station in the form of a continuous stream of stacked ends. This does not mean, however, that the conveyor means for the can ends do not include destacking operations but generally each instance of destacking is followed by a subsequent restacking procedure prior to delivery of the can ends to the next succeeding work station.

Several problems have plagued the industry in regard to the aforementioned handling of can ends in a continuous system. That is, a system where the transfer from one machine to the next succeeding machine is completely automated and is not dependent upon manual supply. With systems of this general type all of the machines had to have their rates of operation adjusted to accommodate the slowest operating machine in the system. Even when the various machines are adjusted for operation at the same rate, due to differences in their respective rates of acceleration to operating speed, supply problems occurred.

In manufacturing operations of this type, it is frequently necessary to deenergize the machines for one reason or another and shortly thereafter bring them back up to operating speed. Accordingly, it can be seen that any difierences in rates of acceleration present a significant supply problem. More specifically, where a difference in the rate of acceleration or operation exists between two adjacent machines, there is a possibility that the receiving machine, as opposed to the supplying machine, will be either oversupplied or undersupplied with can ends, whichever occurs depends upon which machine has the higher rate of operation. The result of this is that continuous supervision is required to adjust the respective rates of operation in order to attain maximum and trouble-free operation.

In order to alleviate the problem of oversupply of can ends, various conveyor monitoring arrangements have been proposed, two such arrangements being shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,4l7,853, and U.S. Application Ser. No. 789,254. However. it should be noted that in both instances the disclosed monitoring means is of a type designed to disable or render ineffective the conveyor-driven motor. Further, the aforementioned monitoring means are not capable of handling situations wherein a shortage of can ends occur. Accordingly, while these particular embodiments proved desirable and sufficient in many instances, there still existed a need for control means capable of handling both an oversupply and an undersupply condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides control apparatus capable of alleviating the oversupply problem in a manner superior to that of the prior art, while also assuring that a shortage or undersupply of can ends to the consuming machines does not result. Specifically, the aforementioned advantages and solutions are realized by the provision of control apparatus comprising: means carried by a vertical trough section for engaging the can ends and retarding the flow thereof to the consuming machine to produce a gap in the stream of can ends being conveyed; and control means for monitoring the level of can ends in said gap, said control means being operably connected with said consuming and/or said supply machines to regulate the operation thereof as a function of the level of can ends in said trough in such a manner as to assure that neither an oversupply or an undersupply of can ends occurs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the present invention, its organization and operation may be had by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a schematic illustration of a portion of a can end handling system embodying the present invention wherein the can ends are conveyed from one processing machine to another by conveyor apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view illustrating the general construction and operation of a power driven restacking device which delivers can ends to a vertically oriented trough having the control apparatus of the present invention operably associated therewith;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, in the direction indicated;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, in the direction indicated;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 5- 5 of FIG. 4 and illustrating how the control apparatus of the present invention functions;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the spring-biased catch members of the present invention, which are employed to engage and retard movement of the can ends to define the control gap, and taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 7-7 ofFlG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a modified arrangement for the present invention where conveyor means alone control the rate of supply of can ends of the consuming machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in more detail, FIG. 1 thereof shows a portion of a can end handling system, which portion is designated generally 10 and employs control apparatus of the present invention. The particular portion I0 is used to transfer can ends from a vertically oriented stack 12 that has just been processed at a first work station by a machine 16, and conveys said ends to a second work station defined by a machine 18. The particular type of conveying means employed in transferring can ends from machine I6 to machine 18 is not critical to the present invention. However, for purposes of completeness of disclosure and understanding of the overall operation of a can end handling system and the problems involved, a brief discussion of the conveyor apparatus is given hereinafter.

Briefly, the can ends are processed by the machine 16, which may be a Minster Press," as mentioned previously, a can end forming machine, or for that matter, any other type of machine employed in the processing of can ends. The machine 16 expels the can ends 20 in a continuous stacked stream I2 which is vertically oriented, as shown. The can ends 20 are removed from the stack I2 by destacking transfer apparatus 22 and delivered to a belt conveyor 24 in an unstaclted condition. Once on the conveyor 24, the can ends 20 are transported to apparatus 26 which restacks the can ends for supply to the machine 18, the can ends 20 being placed in face-toface engagement in a supply trough 23 which interconnects apparatus 26 with machine I8. The configuration of trough 28 conforms substantially to the peripheral shape of the can ends 20, so that said can ends 20 will be maintained in a stacked relation.

While the operation of the restacking apparatus 26 will be considered and discussed in some detail regarding FIGS. 2 and 3, the general construction thereof is known, and forms the subject matter of U.S. Pat. No. 3,337,064. Further, it should be noted that if a more detailed description of the destacking transfer apparatus 22 is desired, same can be obtained by reference to the aforementioned applications for Letters Patent. For purposes of the present disclosure, suffice it to say that said apparatus 22 employs pneumatic means to effect removal of the can ends 20 from the stack 12, and then conveys said ends for a short distance and deposits them on the belt conveyor 24.

Again it must be emphasized that the particular type of processing machines between which the can ends are conveyed, and the manner and means of conveyance are not critical features of the present invention. That is to say, various arrangements, other than that illustrated, may effectively utilize the control apparatus of the present invention, as is believed will be clear as the description thereof is evolved hereinafter. It is sufficient only that said machines or conveying means be of a type capable of functioning and being controlled in the manner to be set forth hereinafter.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the motorized or powered restacking apparatus 26 and its manner of operation are illustrated in detail. As will be recalled from the brief description of FIG. I, the restacker 26 receives the can ends from the belt conveyor 24 and restacks them for supply to the machine I8 which may be in the form of a leak tester or any other can end processing machine.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the motorized restacker 26 includes an aerodynamic chamber or housing 30 which has the upper end segment of trough 28 positioned therein. The housing or chamber 30 has a receiving opening 32 formed by the open end of a tubular portion 34 which, as illustrated, forms a portion of the trough 28. As will be explained more fully, said tube portion 34 is adapted to be connected with airevacuating means to facilitate the disposition of can ends in the open end 32 thereof.

A guide plate arrangement 36 is provided for directing the can ends 20 into alignment with the receiving opening 32. The guide plate 36 is aligned with the discharge end of the belt conveyor 24 and receives the can ends 20 therefrom. A driven belt 38 is provided for advancing the can ends along the length of guide plate 26. The belt 38 is of an endless configuration being engaged over a roller 40 such that it contacts the can ends 20 along the lower reaches thereof. Said belt 38 is driven by a motor 42, FIG. 1, in the direction indicated, so that the can ends 20 will be positioned in direct alignment with opening 32 when they reach the far end of said belt.

Housing 30 includes an outlet portion or tube 44 which is associated with a high-volume fan or some other form of airevacuating means (not shown). In addition, the upper end of the tube portion 34 includes a plurality of apertures 46 disposed radially and positioned slightly below the open end 32 thereof. Thus, it can be seen that air will be drawing through said opening 32 into the tube segment 34, and from there through apertures 46 into the outlet 44, thus producing a stream of air passing through the opening 32. Accordingly, as

a can end 20 moves into alignment with opening 32, the stream of air provided by the air-evacuating means forces or pulls said can end downwardly into the tube portion 34.

To insure positive movement or travel of the can ends 20 along the length of the tube segment 34, which defines the uppermost portion of trough 28, can end drive means are provided, and designated generally 48. The can end drive means 48 include a pair of spaced-apart, diametrically opposed gearlike members 50, best viewed in FIG. 3. These gearlike members 50 are mounted on spaced-apart shafts 52, each said shaft being carried on a pivotally mounted arm 54. A motor 56 is operably connected to said gearlike members 50 by means of various sprocket gears and sprocket chain members, which are designated generally 58.

A pair of slots or openings 60 are formed in the wall of the tube 34 so as to partially receive the gearlike members 50 therein, with said members 50 extending inwardly of said tube portion 34 as shown in FIG. 3. The gearlike members 50 include cogs or teeth 62 sized to receive can ends 20 therebetween. The gearlike members 50 are rotated continuously by motor 56, so that upon entry into tube segment 34, the cogs 62 engage and grip the periphery of said can ends and force them axially downward, thereby providing a continuous stack thereof.

The mounting for the pivotal arms 54 is such that the gearlike members 50 are biased inwardly toward each other, which permits them to adjust and handle can ends 20 without the danger of clogging or otherwise fouling the continuous operation of the device. In addition, the gearlike members preferably are formed of a plasticlike material having a specified degree of resiliency so as not to bend or otherwise distort the can ends.

Since the operating and/or accelerating speeds of the machines 16 and 18 may vary, it is necessary to provide con trol means of some sort to monitor and coordinate the operation of said machines. Where the rate of supply from machine 16 exceeds the rate at which machine 18 is consuming can ends, an overfeed condition occurs. This condition results in a continued buildup of can ends in trough 28, analogous to a pressure buildup in a fluid system, which, if uncontrolled, will result in a failure. On the other hand, where machine 18 consumes can ends at a rate in excess of the rate of supply, an underfeed condition exists. When this happens, the distance through which a can end must fall in trough 28, viz, that distance between the topmost can end of the stack being fed to machine 18 and the drive members 50, gradually increases giving rise to the possibility that said can end may turn over. Should this occur, the effectiveness and operation of machine 18 would be impaired.

As was mentioned previously, control apparatus for handling an oversupply condition are known, although of an entirely different nature from the present invention. However, said apparatus cannot effectively accommodate an underfeed condition.

While the basic concept of the present invention is discussed, and an embodiment thereof described in detail in said copending application Ser. No. 825,096, the illustrated and hereinafter to be described embodiment represents a preferred form of the invention. Accordingly, as will be clear from the description of the present invention which follows, there are provided means for handling a situation wherein either an overfeed or an underfeed condition exists, or for that matter, situations wherein both said conditions may be encountered. Regarding this latter point, any two given machines may vary not only in operating speed, but also in the rate of acceleration. Or, one or both may be capable of a wide range of operating speeds. Thus, it is conceivable that upon initial start up, an underfeed may exist, and as the operating speeds are approached, this condition is relieved and an overfeed results, or vice versa.

The arrangement and operation of the control apparatus of the present invention which are designated generally 70, will now be discussed in detail in conjunction with FIGS. 4-7, and the lowermost portion of FIG. 2.

More specifically, at a point in the vertically disposed tube segment 34, spaced a given distance from drive member 50, there are provided a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 72. A catch member 74 is disposed in each said aperture 72. This disposition is effected by a pair of bolt members 76 which are connected to the segment 34 and extend through apertures 78 formed in the respective catch members 74, see FIG. 6. Spring means, in the form of coiled springs 80, coaxially mounted on bolts 76, are provided to bias the individual catch members 74 radially inward with said portion 82 extending into the interior of tube segment 34. However, due to the spring-biased mounting of catch members 74, they are free to move radially outward from the illustrated position.

Four said catch members 74 are employed in conjunction with the illustrated embodiment, as seen in FIG. 4; however, this is but a preferred arrangement and more or less may be used.

Thus, as the first can end falls through the tube segment 34, it will engage the inwardly extending portions 82 of said catch member 74. The first can end 20 will not pass said catch member initially, such that the succeeding can ends form a stack 81 extending upwardly toward the drive members 50. Passage of can ends 20 past the catch member 74 will be precluded until the extent of the stack 81 reaches the drive means 50. When this occurs, as said drive means 50 continues to force can ends 20 inwardly onto the stack, there will be an increase in the pressure on the end portions 82 causing the catch members 74 to be biased radially outward against the force of springs 80. This movement of the catch member 74 permits can ends to pass and fall into the lower region of the trough 28 to commence formation of a stack 81 to be consumed by the machine 18. Ideally, one can end at a time will pass said catch members 74; however, should several drop, no harm results.

The conditions existing in the area of the control apparatus 70 during operation of the overall system are shown in FIG. 5. That is, there are provided two continuous stacks of can ends, 81 and 81', the former extending upwardly from the catch members 74 to the drive means 50, and the latter extending upwardly from the machine 18 toward said catch members 74. The respective stacks 81 and 81' are separated by a gap 84 which will be discussed more fully and referred to hereinafter as the "control gap."

lf the rate of consumption of machine 18 matches the rate of delivery of can ends 20 by the drive means 50 to trough 28, the axial length or extent of control gap 84 will remain substantially constant. That is to say, the height of the stack 81' will not increase or decrease, obviously, stack 81 is of a constant height when ends 20 are passing through the control gap 84. On the other hand, when the rates of consumption and delivery vary, the height of stack 81' will increase or decrease as a function of this difference. More specifically, where the rate of consumption by machine 18 exceeds the rate of supply, stack 81 will decrease in height, with the opposite occurring when the rate of supply exceeds the rate of consumption.

It is desirable to maintain the axial length of the control gap 84 at a value that is less than one-half the diameter of the can ends 20. This assures that said can ends 20 will not turn over as they fall through said gap. Also, considering the condition shown in FIG. 5, it can be appreciated that if the length of control gap 84 is maintained at a selected value, an adequate supply of can ends for machine 18 is assured, and there exists no danger of an oversupply.

To maintain the length of the control gap 84 within desired tolerances, the control apparatus 70 of the present invention further include monitoring or detecting means 90. Said means 90 monitor the level of stack 81' in control gap 84 and are connected with machines 18 and 16 to adjust and coordinate the operations thereof.

More specifically, detecting means 90 include a pair of diametrically opposed elongate slots 92 formed in the wall of the tube segment 34 and extending downwardly from the apertures 72. At a location just below the apertures 72 there is provided a first sensing unit designated generally 93 and comprised of an emitter source of radiant energy 94 and a receiver 96. Said emitter and receiver, 94 and 96, are positioned in alignment with the slots 92, as shown in MG. 5, such that a beam of radiant energy 98 may be established through the control gap 84. A second sensing unit, designated generally 93, is defined by an emitter and receiver 100 and 102, respectively. Unit 93 is axially spaced from sensing unit 93 at a location below said unit, the spacing therebetween being approximately equal to one-half the diameter of can ends 20. As was the case with unit 93, the emitter and receiver, 100 and 102, of the second sensing unit 93' are disposed in alignment with slots 92, and are capable of establishing a second beam of radiant energy 104 through said control gap 84.

The first sensing unit 93 is operably connected to the machine 16, such that the output of the receiver 96 provides a control signal for said machine 16. The second sensing unit 93' is coupled with machine 18 so that the output of receiver 102 provides a control signal for said machine.

More specifically, the connection of unit 93 with machine 16 is such that when beam 98 exists and falls on receiver 96, the control signal emitted will produce the maximum or optimum operating rate for said machine. On the other hand, when beam 98 is interrupted, the output or control signal from receiver 96 is such that the operating rate of machine 16 is reduced, or for that matter, machine 16 may be deenergized completely.

The relationship between unit 93' and machine 18 is generally similar to that discussed above. However, upon the interruption of beam 104, which occurs when the level of stack 81' extends into control gap 84, the output of receiver 102 is applied to machine 18 to produce the optimum operating rate. When the level of stack 81' falls below unit 93' and beam 104 is established, the control signal from receiver 102 will reduce the operating rate of machine 18.

The interaction or cooperation between the units 93 and 93 will now be considered with regard to the various operating factors encountered, and using the conditions as shown in FIG. 5 as a reference.

First of all, when the operating rates of machines 16 and 18 are substantially the same, the condition existing as shown in FIG. 5 will prevail. That is, the level of stack 81' will neither rise nor fall.

During a state of undersupply, viz, the rate of consumption of can ends 20 by machine 18 being above the rate of supply, the level of stack 81 will start to fall.

When stack 81' drops below the level of the sensing unit 93', beam 104 will be established and machine 18 will be automatically deenergized or its rate of operation reduced. Since the rate of supply of can ends through the control gap 84 will remain constant during this period, beam 98 existing, the height of stack 81 will soon begin to build up to a level sufficient again to interrupt beam 104. Upon this occurrence, machine 18 will again be energized for operation at the desired, maximum rate.

When an oversupply condition exists, viz, rate of consumption of can ends 20 below the rate of supply, stack 81 will gradually increase. Clearly, the only danger in this instance exists when gap 84 is eliminated, and stacks 81 and 81' merge, thus permitting a buildup in the pressure exerted by the can ends in trough 28. However, before the respective stacks 81 and 81 merge, stack 81' will interrupt beam 98. When this happens, machine 16 is deenergized or otherwise controlled to reduce the rate of supply of can ends 20 to trough 28 to a level below the rate of consumption of machine 18. Therefore, with the rate of consumption of machine 18 remaining unchanged, the level of stack 81' will decrease until beam 98 is reestablished It should be noted that even after beam 98 is established, the level of stack 81 may continue to fall for a period of time. This is occasioned by the fact that machine 16 will have to go through a period of acceleration before reaching the previously normal operating speed.

Thus, it can be seen that due to the monitoring of the level of can ends in the gap 84, the rates of operation of machines l6 and 18 are constantly coordinated and adjusted automatically to assure an adequate supply of can ends for consumption by machine 18 without giving rise to the danger of an oversupply.

Considering now F168. 6 and 7, the construction of a catch member 74 of the present invention is shown in detail, which construction constitutes an improvement over that as shown in U.S. Application Ser. No. 825,096. Primarily, the portion 82 of the catch member 74, which extends into the interior of trough 28, includes a plurality of ribs or protuberances 110. The protuberances 110 are designed to grip or receive the edges of the can ends 20 therebetween, such that a plurality of said can ends 20 will be engaged by the respective catch members 74 at all times.

In operation, as the drive means 50 force can ends 20 onto the stack 81, the can ends engaged by the catch members 74 will advance along the inwardly facing edges thereof. Said edges are defined by a series of protuberances 110, which are of a rounded or blunted configuration. Accordingly, this configuration, in conjunction with the force exerted by the springs 80, tends to separate the can ends 20, as shown in FIG. 6 Thus, as the can ends 20 progress toward the drop point, they are spaced one from the other by protuberances 110, such that a more uniform, controlled drop of the ends 20 through gap 84 is attained than is possible with the embodiment illustrated in said copending application, Ser. No. 825,096.

In FIG. 8, a modified form or arrangement of the abovediscussed invention is shown. Since many of the elements employed in this embodiment are identical to those previously discussed, like reference characters will be employed.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 differs from that previously discussed in several respects. First of all, in place of machine 16 and conveyor mechanisms 22, 24 and 26, conveyor apparatus 120 is used to supply can ends 20 to the consuming machine 18. Also, as will be explained in some detail, apparatus 120 is of the general type mentioned previously which may employ drive motor disabling means to accommodate conditions of oversupply to machine 18. Accordingly, the control apparatus 70 need only be employed to handle situations where an undersupply exists; however, this does not preclude the joint use of the drive motor disabling means of the apparatus 120 and control apparatus 70 for overload conditions. As still another alternate arrangement, the aforementioned drive motor disabling means for apparatus 120 may be disconnected, or eliminated, and only the control apparatus 70 used to accommodate oversupply conditions.

While the conveyor apparatus 120 forms a portion of the subject matter disclosed and claimed in the aforementioned US. Application Ser. No. 789,254, it will be described briefly herein for purposes of disclosure.

Basically, the conveyor apparatus 120 includes a frame 124 which is adapted to accommodate can ends 20 being supplied from a source, not shown, for conveyance to machine 18. The can ends 20 are moved along the length of the frame 124 by means of a plurality of driven belt members 126 which are of the endless type and engaged over rollers 128, as shown in phantom in FIG. 8.

The can ends 20 will move along the length of frame 124 in the direction indicated by arrow 130 to the discharge end thereof where they are directed by an end roller 132 into trough 28. A drive motor 134 is provided for the conveyor 120, which motor is operably connected to both the rollers 128 for the belt members 126 and the end roller 132 by a series of sprocket gears and sprocket chains.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, the end roller 132 and the next adjacent belt member roller 128 are operably interconnected by a section of endless sprocket chain 136. The lower reach 136' of said chain is engaged over a spring-biased idler gear 138 that is mounted to frame 124 for reciprocal movement. In addition, conveyor 120 includes a control switch assembly N that is in circuit with the drive motor 134, and is positioned for actuation by a cam member 142 carried on the reciprocally mounted idler gear 138.

When an overload or oversupply condition exists, the can ends 28 will back up in trough 28, and will place a drag or retarding force on end roller 132 which results in an increase in tension of the lower reach 136' of sprocket chain 136. This increase in tension will cause the reciprocally mounted idler gear 138 to move upwardly with cam member 142 actuating switch 140. Since said switch 140 is placed in circuit with the drive motor 134, when the aforementioned upward movement of the idler sprocket gear 138 occurs, said motor is deenergized. correspondingly, the supply of can ends 20 to trough 28 is terminated until such time as the tension in the lower reach 136' of said endless sprocket chain 136 is relieved to permit the reciprocal sprocket gear 138 to move back to the normal operating position, thus again permitting the drive-motor 134 to be energized.

Considering now the control apparatus 70 of the embodiment of FIG. 8, it will be seen that a tubular segment 34 is coupled with the trough 28 so as to define a portion thereof. Basically, the disposition of the control means 70 in this embodiment is identical to that as discussed with regard to FIG. 5, and is incorporated herein by reference, such that a further detailed description is deemed unnecessary.

However, it should be noted that in addition to switch 140, sensing means 93 also may be operably coupled with the drive motor 134 for the conveyor apparatus such that the interruption of beam 98 deenergizes said motor. Thus, when so constructed, there is effectively provided joint or dual control means for handling an overload condition. On the other hand, the previously discussed disabling means for the apparatus 120 may be eliminated or rendered inoperative and only the sensing unit 93 employed to control delivery from conveyor 120. Also, if desired, the sensing unit 93 may be dispensed with altogether, and only the drive motor disabling means relied upon for control in an oversupply situation.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the control apparatus 70 as hereinabove described with regard to the embodiments of H68. 1-7 and FIG. 8, may be used anywhere in a can end handling system where a vertical trough section is used to convey a stream of can ends to a consuming machine. Thus, while preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may adapt the present invention for use with various can end handling arrangements, or modify the structure of the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which are defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. Control apparatus for use in a can end handling system of the type employing first and second can end handling machines, with the means employed for transporting can ends from said first machine to said second machine including a vertically disposed trough section that handles a stream of said can ends in stacked relation; said control apparatus comprising: means adapted to be carried by said vertical trough section for engaging the can ends and retarding the flow thereof to produce a gap in said stream of can ends; and control means for monitoring the level of can ends in said gap, said control means being operably connected with said second machine to regulate the operation thereof as a function of the level of can ends in said trough, whereby when the level of can ends in said gap falls below a preselected point, the rate of consumption of can ends by said second machine is reduced.

2. Control apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for engaging the can ends and retarding the flow thereof include, aperture means formed in said trough section, and a plurality of spring-biased catch members, each said member having a portion extending radially inward of said trough for engaging can ends to retard the passage thereof through said trough, said catch members being movable radially outward of said section when the force exerted thereon by said can ends reaches a prescribed level to permit individual can ends to pass through said gap.

3. Control apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said portion of each catch member which extends radially inward of the trough has a plurality of ribs formed thereon such that each said catch member may engage a number of can ends.

4. Control apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said control means include. aperture means formed in said trough section, and a photoelectric sensing unit associated therewith, said unit comprising an emitter and a receiver for a beam of radiant energy, said emitter being positioned diametrically opposite said receiver at said predetermined location for establishing a light beam through said trough by way of said aperture means.

5. Control apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said control means further monitors the level of can ends in said gap at a second point, axially spaced above said first-mentioned preselected point, said control means being operably coupled with said first machine to reduce the rate of supply therefrom when the level of can ends in said gap rises above said second point.

6. Control apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said control means include a pair of photoelectric sensing units, said units being adapted to establish a pair of axially spaced beams of radiant energy passing through said gap, with the existence and interruption of said beams providing control signals to an associated one of said machines.

7. Control apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said sensing units are spaced from each other by a distance no greater than one-half the diameter of the can ends to be conveyed.

8. Control apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for engaging the can ends to provide said gap include a plurality of spring-biased catch members extending inwardly of said trough.

9. A method of regulating the supply of a stream of can ends being conveyed from a first handling machine to a second handling machine, wherein means for transporting said can ends from said first machine to said second include a vertically disposed trough portion, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a gap in the stream of can ends being conveyed through said trough portion;

b. monitoring the level of cans relative to said gap at a first location and at a second location, said first location being axially spaced from said second location in the direction of movement of said can ends through the gap;

c. controlling the operation of said first machine to reduce the output thereof when the level of can ends in said gap rises above said second location; and

d. controlling the operation of said second machine to reduce the rate of consumption of the can ends thereby, when the level of can ends in said gap falls below said first location.

10. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein said step of monitoring the level of can ends relative to said gap, includes the step of; providing means for establishing a pair of beams of radiant energy passing through the gap at said first and second location, respectively.

11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein said steps of controlling the operation of said first and second machines include the step of; deriving a control signal from the existence or interruption of each said beam; and employing said signal to regulate the operation of said machines.

12. A method of regulating the supply of a stream of can ends being supplied from a first machine to a second machine through a vertically disposed trough portion, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a gap in the stream of can ends in said trough portion;

b. controlling the operation of said first machine as a function of the supply of can ends in said trough so that said machine is deenergized when said trough becomes completely full; and

c. controlling the operation of said second machine as a function of the level of can ends in said gap at a specified location such that the rate of consumption of said second machine is reduced when the level of can ends in said gap falls below said location.

- means for retarding the flow of can ends to 13. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein said step of controlling the operation of said first machine includes; providing means for detecting an increase in drag placed on a handling element of said machine by the can ends; and disabling said first machine when said drag reaches a specified level.

14. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein said step of controlling the operation of said first machine includes the steps of; monitoring the level of can ends in said gap at a second location axially spaced from said first mentioned location in a direction opposite the fiow of can ends through said gap; and reducing the operating rate of said first machine when the said level rises above said second location.

15. A method as defined in claim 14 wherein said step of reducing the operating rate of said first machine includes deenergizing the drive means for said machine.

16. Control apparatus for use in a can end handling system of the type having first and second can end handling machines with the means employed in transporting can ends from said first machine to said second machine including, a trough which handles a stream of can ends in stacked relation, said control apparatus comprising: means operably connectable with said trough for retarding the flow of can ends therethrough to produce a gap in said stream; and detecting means for monitoring the level of can ends in said gap, said detecting means being operably coupled with both said first and said second machines, such that the rate of operation of said second machine is reduced when the level of can ends in said gap falls below a first preselected location, and correspondingly, the operation of said first machine will be reduced when the level of can ends in said gap rises above a second preselected location, whereby the How of can ends to said second machine is controlled to assure that neither an oversupply nor an undersupply of can ends occurs.

17. Control apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said produce said gap include a plurality of spring-biased catch members, each said member having a portion for extending radially inward of said trough and adapted to engage said can ends.

18. Control apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said detecting means comprise a pair of sensing units adapted for the detection of the level of can ends in said gap, one said unit being positioned at said first and at said second locations.

19. Control apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein each said sensing unit includes an emitter and a receiver for radiant energy, such that said units are capable of establishing a pair of axially spaced beams of radiant energy passing through said gap, the existence or interruption of said beams providing control signals for said first and second machines.

20. In combination with a can end handling system of the type including a first can end handling machine and a second can end handling machine, and trough means conforming to the peripheral shape of said can ends being used in the conveyance of a continuous stream of said ends from said first machine to said second machine; control apparatus for regulating the flow of said can ends from said first machine to said second machine, said control apparatus comprising: a housing having a passage extending therethrough of a shape similar to that of said can ends, said housing defining a portion of said trough means, and having a first and a second set of circumferentially disposed apertures formed therein with said second set being axially spaced from said first set in the direction of movement of said can ends through said housing, said second set being defined by a pair of diametrically opposed elongate slots: a plurality of spring-biased catch members disposed in said first set of apertures, each said member having a portion extending radially inward of said passage for engaging can ends to retard their passage through the housing, whereby said spring-biased catch members are effective to define a gap in the stream of can ends being conveyed; and control means for regulating the operation of said first and said second machines to maintain said gap, and regulate the supply of can ends to said second machine, said control means including a pair of photoelectric sensing units, each said unit comprising an emitter and a receiver for a beam of radiant energy. said units being axially spaced from each other and operably positioned relative to said elongate slots with an emitter of each said unit being positioned diametrically opposite its receiver, the upstream one of said units being operably connected with said first machine and the downstream one of said units being connected with said second machine, whereby the accumulation of can ends in said gap to a level sufficient to disrupt the beam of said upstream unit is effective to reduce the output of said 

1. Control apparatus for use in a can end handling system of the type employing first and second can end handling machines, with the means employed for transporting can ends from said first machine to said second machine including a vertically disposed trough section that handles a stream of said can ends in stacked relation; said control apparatus comprising: means adapted to be carried by said vertical trough section for engaging the can ends and retarding the flow thereof to produce a gap in said stream of can ends; and control means for monitoring the level of can ends in said gap, said control means being operably connected with said second machine to regulate the operation thereof as a function of the level of can ends in said trough, whereby when the level of can ends in said gap falls below a preselected point, the rate of consumption of can ends by said second machine is reduced.
 2. Control apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for engaging the can ends and retarding the flow thereof include, aperture means formed in said trough section, and a plurality of spring-biased catch members, each said member having a portion extending radially inward of said trough for engaging can ends to retard the passage thereof through said trough, said catch members being movable radially outward of said section when the force exerted thereon by said can ends reaches a prescribed level to permit individual can ends to pass through said gap.
 3. Control apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said portion of each catch member which extends radially inward of the trough has a plurality of ribs formed thereon such that each said catch member may engage a number of can ends.
 4. Control apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said control means include, aperture means formed in said trough section, and a photoelectric sensing unit associated therewith, said unit comprising an emitter and a receiver for a beam of radiant energy, said emitter being positioned diametrically opposite said receiver at said predetermined location for establishing a light beam through said trough by way of said aperture means.
 5. Control apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said control means further monitors the level of can ends in said gap at a second point, axially spaced above said First-mentioned preselected point, said control means being operably coupled with said first machine to reduce the rate of supply therefrom when the level of can ends in said gap rises above said second point.
 6. Control apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said control means include a pair of photoelectric sensing units, said units being adapted to establish a pair of axially spaced beams of radiant energy passing through said gap, with the existence and interruption of said beams providing control signals to an associated one of said machines.
 7. Control apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said sensing units are spaced from each other by a distance no greater than one-half the diameter of the can ends to be conveyed.
 8. Control apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for engaging the can ends to provide said gap include a plurality of spring-biased catch members extending inwardly of said trough.
 9. A method of regulating the supply of a stream of can ends being conveyed from a first handling machine to a second handling machine, wherein means for transporting said can ends from said first machine to said second include a vertically disposed trough portion, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing a gap in the stream of can ends being conveyed through said trough portion; b. monitoring the level of cans relative to said gap at a first location and at a second location, said first location being axially spaced from said second location in the direction of movement of said can ends through the gap; c. controlling the operation of said first machine to reduce the output thereof when the level of can ends in said gap rises above said second location; and d. controlling the operation of said second machine to reduce the rate of consumption of the can ends thereby, when the level of can ends in said gap falls below said first location.
 10. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein said step of monitoring the level of can ends relative to said gap, includes the step of; providing means for establishing a pair of beams of radiant energy passing through the gap at said first and second location, respectively.
 11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein said steps of controlling the operation of said first and second machines include the step of; deriving a control signal from the existence or interruption of each said beam; and employing said signal to regulate the operation of said machines.
 12. A method of regulating the supply of a stream of can ends being supplied from a first machine to a second machine through a vertically disposed trough portion, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing a gap in the stream of can ends in said trough portion; b. controlling the operation of said first machine as a function of the supply of can ends in said trough so that said machine is deenergized when said trough becomes completely full; and c. controlling the operation of said second machine as a function of the level of can ends in said gap at a specified location such that the rate of consumption of said second machine is reduced when the level of can ends in said gap falls below said location.
 13. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein said step of controlling the operation of said first machine includes; providing means for detecting an increase in drag placed on a handling element of said machine by the can ends; and disabling said first machine when said drag reaches a specified level.
 14. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein said step of controlling the operation of said first machine includes the steps of; monitoring the level of can ends in said gap at a second location axially spaced from said first mentioned location in a direction opposite the flow of can ends through said gap; and reducing the operating rate of said first machine when the said level rises above said second location.
 15. A method as defined in claim 14 wherein said step of reducing the operating rate of said first machine includes deenergizing the drive means for said machine.
 16. Control apparatus for use in a can end handling system of the type having first and second can end handling machines with the means employed in transporting can ends from said first machine to said second machine including, a trough which handles a stream of can ends in stacked relation, said control apparatus comprising: means operably connectable with said trough for retarding the flow of can ends therethrough to produce a gap in said stream; and detecting means for monitoring the level of can ends in said gap, said detecting means being operably coupled with both said first and said second machines, such that the rate of operation of said second machine is reduced when the level of can ends in said gap falls below a first preselected location, and correspondingly, the operation of said first machine will be reduced when the level of can ends in said gap rises above a second preselected location, whereby the flow of can ends to said second machine is controlled to assure that neither an oversupply nor an undersupply of can ends occurs.
 17. Control apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for retarding the flow of can ends to produce said gap include a plurality of spring-biased catch members, each said member having a portion for extending radially inward of said trough and adapted to engage said can ends.
 18. Control apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said detecting means comprise a pair of sensing units adapted for the detection of the level of can ends in said gap, one said unit being positioned at said first and at said second locations.
 19. Control apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein each said sensing unit includes an emitter and a receiver for radiant energy, such that said units are capable of establishing a pair of axially spaced beams of radiant energy passing through said gap, the existence or interruption of said beams providing control signals for said first and second machines.
 20. In combination with a can end handling system of the type including a first can end handling machine and a second can end handling machine, and trough means conforming to the peripheral shape of said can ends being used in the conveyance of a continuous stream of said ends from said first machine to said second machine; control apparatus for regulating the flow of said can ends from said first machine to said second machine, said control apparatus comprising: a housing having a passage extending therethrough of a shape similar to that of said can ends, said housing defining a portion of said trough means, and having a first and a second set of circumferentially disposed apertures formed therein with said second set being axially spaced from said first set in the direction of movement of said can ends through said housing, said second set being defined by a pair of diametrically opposed elongate slots: a plurality of spring-biased catch members disposed in said first set of apertures, each said member having a portion extending radially inward of said passage for engaging can ends to retard their passage through the housing, whereby said spring-biased catch members are effective to define a gap in the stream of can ends being conveyed; and control means for regulating the operation of said first and said second machines to maintain said gap, and regulate the supply of can ends to said second machine, said control means including a pair of photoelectric sensing units, each said unit comprising an emitter and a receiver for a beam of radiant energy, said units being axially spaced from each other and operably positioned relative to said elongate slots with an emitter of each said unit being positioned diametrically opposite its receiver, the upstream one of said units being operably connected with said first machine and the downstream one of said units being connected with said second machine, whereby the accumulation of can ends in said gap to a level sufFicient to disrupt the beam of said upstream unit is effective to reduce the output of said first machine, and the decrease in the level of can ends in said gap to a point wherein a light beam is established by said downstream unit is effective to decrease the rate of consumption of can ends by said second machine, such that an adequate supply of can ends for said second machine is assured without the danger of an oversupply resulting due to the difference in the operational speeds of said machines. 